Object: Publicity photograph for Health stamps

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Title

Publicity photograph for Health stamps

Production

Gordon H. Burt Ltd (photography studio), 1931, Wellington

Medium summary

black and white nitrate negative

Materials

silver, nitrocellulose, cut film, black-and-white film

Classification

black-and-white negatives, nitrate cel

Technique

black-and-white photography

Format

whole plate (1/1)

Registration number

C.002731

This Christmas-themed photograph was not advertising gifts for children, despite its subject matter. Instead it was part of a campaign to encourage adults to use special charity stamps when posting their Christmas letters and parcels. By using the stamps they would be fighting tuberculosis and giving children the gift of health.

Health stampsThe poster in the background (obscured in the photo) declares this serious intent. Printed by the Government Printer, it asks 'Will you help this Christmastide by using charity stamps on your mail-matter?' The poster maintains that with each charity stamp went 'the Christmas goodwill' - goodwill in the form of a donation towards the setting up Health Camps for children. This was made by charging twice the usual amount for postage (normally one penny).

Health CampsHealth stamps (as they were known from 1932) are still sold to raise funds for New Zealand's seven Health Camps. The first Health Camp was established in 1919. Others were set up in the 1920s and 1930s with the common aim of boosting the physical fitness and wellbeing of New Zealand children. Private individuals administered the first camps; in 1937 the Department of Health took over their control.

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